NORRISTOWN — A Hatfield woman potentially faces jail time after she admitted to stealing between $50,000 and $100,000 from the local church where she had worked as treasurer.

Stephanie Anne Kligge, 35, of the 400 block of South Main Street, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court on Thursday to felony charges of theft by unlawful taking and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received in connection with stealing from Emmanuel Evangelical Congregational Church, 100 S. Main St., between September 2012 and August 2013.

“She admitted to making unauthorized bank withdrawals from the church’s bank account and also admitted to using that money for her own personal purchases and not for the church. She falsified treasurer reports to disguise the thefts,” said Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Abidiwan-Lupo, explaining the nature of Kligge’s guilty plea.

Abidiwan-Lupo vowed to seek jail time against Kligge, citing the amount of money stolen, the amount of time that Kligge committed the thefts and the “significant impact” the thefts had on the congregation and its members.

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“The church entrusted her with the funds that they used to support its congregation, to physically support the church and programs for the community. The congregation has been around since 1895 and has been self-sufficient since then. Because of her theft, she jeopardized the well-being of the church, its programs, as well as the physical building,” Abidiwan-Lupo said.

Representatives of the church were in court Thursday to witness Kligge’s admission.

“I can tell you that she feels sorry for what she did and she’s seeking the forgiveness of the church whose trust that she violated. I can’t really shed any light on why she did it at this time but I will put that forth at sentencing,” defense lawyer Keith Harbison, declining to elaborate on a motive, said on Kligge’s behalf,

At the request of Harbison, the judge also ordered that Kligge, who walked with the aid of a cane, be evaluated for a house arrest program.

“She does have some health problems due to an accident that she had and that is one of the reasons that we requested a house arrest suitability assessment,” said Harbison, adding Kligge is currently attempting to obtain disability benefits. “However, it is her intention to try to get as much money together to pay restitution as soon as possible.”

Kligge faces a possible maximum sentence of seven to 14 years in prison on the charges.

With the charges, Abidiwan-Lupo alleged Kligge stole about $81,453 from the church. But Harbison said a restitution hearing will be held at time of sentencing to determine the exact amount of the theft. Specifically, Kligge admitted to stealing an amount between $50,000 and $100,000.

Kligge served as treasurer of the church, which is located just three blocks from her home, from July 2012 to August 2013, according to a criminal complaint filed by Hatfield Detective Thomas Starner. Kligge, when confronted by authorities, claimed she began withdrawing funds from the church in August 2012 “without authorization and used it for personal use” Starner alleged in the arrest affidavit.

Specifically, prosecutors alleged Kligge stole $61,453 by making 64 unauthorized withdrawals from church bank accounts and another $20,000 by pocketing gift cards she was supposed to purchase for a church fundraising initiative.

Kligge concealed her crimes by falsifying monthly treasurer reports that indicated a balance in the church account of more than $100,000, according to court documents. In truth, authorities alleged, Kligge had drained the account of all but $36.11.

The investigation began in September after the president of the church board went to Hatfield police to report money was missing from the church’s business savings account, according to the criminal complaint.

Follow Carl Hessler Jr. on Twitter @MontcoCourtNews

The following is an earlier version of this story.

NORRISTOWN — A Hatfield woman showed no emotion Thursday as she admitted to stealing more than $50,000 from the local church where she had worked as treasurer.

Stephanie Anne Kligge, 35, of the 400 block of South Main Street, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to felony charges of theft by unlawful taking and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received in connection with stealing from Emmanuel Evangelical Congregational Church, 100 S. Main St., between September 2012 and August 2013.

“She admitted to making unauthorized bank withdrawals from the church’s bank account and also admitted to using that money for her own personal purchases and not for the church. She falsified treasurer reports to disguise the thefts,” said Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Abidiwan-Lupo, who vowed to seek jail time against Kligge.

Judge Carolyn T. Carluccio deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a background investigative report about Kligge, who remains free on bail pending sentencing. At the request of defense lawyer Keith Harbison, the judge also ordered that Kligge, who walked with the aid of a cane, be evaluated for a house arrest program.

“She does have some health problems due to an accident that she had and that is one of the reasons that we requested a house arrest suitability assessment,” Harbison said.

Kligge faces a possible maximum sentence of seven to 14 years in prison on the charges.

With the charges, Abidiwan-Lupo alleged Kligge stole more than $81,000 from the church. But Harbison said a restitution hearing will be held at time of sentencing to determine the exact amount of the theft. Specifically, Kligge admitted to stealing an amount between $50,000 and $100,000.

Kligge served as treasurer of the church, which is located just three blocks from her home, from July 2012 to August 2013, according to a criminal complaint filed by Hatfield Detective Thomas Starner. Kligge, when confronted by authorities, claimed she began withdrawing funds from the church in August 2012 “without authorization and used it for personal use” Starner alleged in the arrest affidavit.

About the Author

Carl Hessler Jr. writes about crime and justice at the Montgomery County Courthouse for The Mercury and 21st Century Media Newspaper’s Greater Philadelphia area publications. A native of Reading, he studied at Penn State University and Kutztown University before graduating from Alvernia University with a degree in communications. He is a recipient of a National Headliner Award and has been honored for his writing by the Keystone Press Association, Philadelphia Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Press Managing Editors of Pennsylvania. Reach the author at chessler@pottsmerc.com
or follow Carl on Twitter: @MontcoCourtNews.